Staff Reports
In a press briefing on Thursday, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby confirmed President Joe Biden’s intention to veto a stand-alone funding bill for Israel proposed by House Republicans. The bill, which aimed to provide $14.3 billion in aid for Israel while making cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), was viewed as a threat to Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. When asked about previous statements made by Vice President Kamala Harris regarding Biden’s stance on a stand-alone bill, Kirby made it clear that the President would indeed veto such a bill.
Kirby Confirms Biden Will Veto Stand-Alone Israel Funding Billhttps://t.co/POeO5kGWcn
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) November 3, 2023
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had previously expressed its opposition to the specific proposal put forth by House Republicans. The OMB criticized the package for neglecting to include humanitarian aid to Gaza and funding for Ukraine, arguing that it introduced an element of partisanship into the support for Israel. In fact, Biden had initially requested a comprehensive $106 billion aid package in October, which included over $61 billion for Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, and $13.6 billion for addressing the nation’s border crisis. Additionally, $1.4 billion of the funds were designated for state and local governments that were struggling due to a surge in migration.
Biden’s decision to link funding for Ukraine to the Israel bill was met with stern criticism from GOP senators. They called it both “unreasonable” and “irresponsible,” as well as an “insulting” exploitation of the Israeli cause. Furthermore, Democratic city leaders contended that the border funding should be treated as a separate issue and prioritized accordingly, rather than being bundled together with other matters. Utah Senator Mike Lee, in particular, highlighted the administration’s tact as an attempt to secure a “blank check for Ukraine” at the expense of American taxpayers.
It is evident that the President’s position on the stand-alone Israel funding bill is firm. By vetoing the bill, Biden aims to secure comprehensive aid packages that address multiple issues and prioritizes the needs of various countries and regions. While his decision may not appease all sides, it aligns with his administration’s broader goals and strategies.
